I-95 re-opens after brush fire shuts down portion of interstate

PALM BAY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - A fire is shutting down a major artery through Brevard County, which is a real issue on Monday morning as commuters hit the streets.

Cars off getting off I-95 at Malabar Road because this is as far as they can go south. While smoke cannot be smelled from here, the effects can certainly be seen on the roadways.

The Palm Bay Fire Rescue did shut down SB I-95 from Malabar Road to the Indian River County Line. The Florida Highway Patrol also did shut down NB I-95 from the county line to Malabar Road. However, both directions of I-95 have now opened.

The brush fire, combined with a couple of the prescribed burns, is creating difficult traffic conditions for commuters in the area Monday morning. The fire is 600 acres large and dry conditions are helping it spread rally quickly.

The fire started south of Palm Bay near Babcock Road and Willow Brook Road, spreading east towards I-95.

Firefighters say that there are not very many homes in the area of the fire. They said they were able to act on the defense there and get fire lines around the homes. They're expected to be okay.

The fire is currently 50% contained and is expected to burn for the next few days or so.